Bandit Country

A week later, the royal envoy from Vurstan arrived in Dressna.

They entered the throne room where King Russell, Queen Coraline, Crown Prince Harmon, and Princess Liana were all sitting up on the dais. Preston and Vander had returned to Sonic to try and quell the uprising and make peace between Sonicans and Mainlanders.

"Welcome to Salencia."

The envoy all bowed.

"I am Captain Wilhelm. We have come to bring Princess Liliana back to Vurstan. Marriage preparations begin tomorrow."

King Russell looked to his daughter.

"It's okay, Father. This is my choice. I want to do this, for Salencia and Vurstan."

"Good girl. I could have raised you better than you are."

Then, he addressed Captain Wilhelm.

Take care of her, Captain. She's my only daughter. I expect her to be treated well."

"You have my upmost confidence that she will be warmly welcomed in Quennia and the rest of Vurstan, Your Majesty."

Seemingly reassured, King Russell nodded. Liana stood from her seat and walked down the dais.

"Do I need to bring anything?"

"No, Princess. Every material item you may need will be provided once we get back to the capital."

"Okay."

She turned back to her family and gave them all a nod. Then, she faced front and walked out with the Vurstanian envoy. Liana was led to a royal carriage processions and helped up into the middle carriage.

"Thank you."

"Of course. We'll be halfway to Vurstan later today. Tomorrow, we'll finish the journey."

"Alright."

She was alone in her carriage and soon wished for some company.

"If only Harmon were here. he'd be so supportive the whole way."

She laid her head back against the wall of the coach.

"Have I done the right thing by selling myself off like this? I always that I wanted to choose my destiny, not have it made for me. But will I lose the freedom I have enjoyed since I became the Mage Queen? What will my life be like after next week?"

Liana sighed sadly.

"I like Leo, but we haven't seen each other in nine years. I was 16 and he was 18 when we last saw each other. Two weeks after he left Dressna, Vander and I went to Sonic. I barely know Leo. But Harmon said he's a good person, so I have to trust in that at least."

The rest of the day was spent riding. They made it out of Salencia's borders and into Vurstan's.

"Halt!"

'Thank the gods. We're finally stopping for the night.'

"Hrrk."

"Hrrk."

"Hrrk."

'What's going on?'

Suddenly, her carriage door was ripped open. She screamed in horror when she saw Captain Wilhelm covered in blood.

"Princess," he gasped out. "We've been ambushed. You must get out of here."

Her eyes flared, and she steeled her features.

"No, I'm not a coward."

Liana stepped out of the carriage. Amplifying her voice, she called out to the ambushers.

"Anyone who dares to take up arms against Vurstanians also dares to take up arms against me."

Laughs sounded behind her. She turned to see the ambushers scantily clad and weapons ready in their hands. The ambush leader stepped forward.

"Does the little princess think she can beat us?" he mocked.

The others laughed.

"Princess, please, go. I promised your father I see you safely."

"It's okay, Captain. I've seen war and bloodshed. People dying on either side of me. It's disheartening, I'll admit. I'd hate to see more die because of me."

Then, she raised both of her arms up, parallel to the ground, palms faced upwards.

"What's the little girl gonna do? Call for help?"

"Oh, no." Liana smirked.

Bright hot red fire flared in her upturned palms. Once the flames were big enough, she hurled the towards the ambushers' stolen goods. Black smoke swirled around her, and she transformed into her dragon self.

"ROAAAAAAAR!"

Hot fire spewed from her mouth. Flames scorched the area. But she did not hurt anyone, for her intent was only to scare the bandits off. Then, she transformed back into her human self.

"Leave and never ambush anyone ever again. If I find out otherwise, you will regret every crossing me, for I can make you suffer a fate worse than death and long for something as kind as pain."

The bandits looked right scared and quickly fled. She turned towards Captain Wilhelm who had slid to the ground near the carriage. Around her, she saw injured men, and a few dead.

"I'm sorry, Captain. This happened because of me."

"No," he said. "These people are bandits who steal and kill for a living."

She hovered her hands over his wounds, a soft golden glow emitting from her palms. She healed his wounds, and as she did so, her veins turned black. Ignoring the price she was paying, Liana healed the other injured men. The dead, she offered her carriage for.

"I think I'll ride on one of the horses for a while."

The captain agreed and thanked her for her kindness and consideration.

"His Majesty had said you were special. Indeed, he was right."

"Sonicans call me the Mage Queen."

"Hmm, fitting."

They started back up on their way to get out of bandit country. They stopped in a small village a few miles further down the road.

"We'll rest here for the night."

"Sounds good. I healed the physical wounds, but you and your men will still suffer from the blood loss for a while. You'll recover fully, but your bodies need time to replenish your blood."

"Once again, Princess. i can't thank you enough for helping me and my men."

"It's no problem."

They walked inside the tavern and sat down. The Captain looked at her.

"If I may, your body would say otherwise."

She chuckled lightly and sighed, "It's like the phrase: a life for a life. I'm healing your wounds and pain, but that, unlike other things, cannot come from nothing. You're messing with life itself sometimes. Therefore, it'll extract a price."

She looked at him, gauging his reaction. He looked concerned for her.

"I pay that price with my black veins. It's reciprocating the wounds and pain. I give of my healthy self to save those who are in need, but I take on their weakness as I give."

"It seems a very heavy price to pay."

"Maybe, but I'm willing to pay it. I've paid to the extreme extent to save my twin brother's life. He was fatally wounded during the Battle of Sonic. I healed him fully, but it was too much give and take. He lived, and I died. Then, somehow, two years later, I resurrected. But I'd pay the price again and again for any who deserve it."

"You're a good person, Princess."

She gave a sad smile as she said, "I'm really not. there's blood on my hands and the weight of many deaths on my shoulders. I am no innocent when it comes to taking a life."

"No, but you're making up for your mistakes."

"Perhaps, I don't know."

Liana sighed.

"Of course, Princess. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Captain."

Then, she head up the stairs. Opening the door, she lit a flame in her hand to light up the room. Her eyes widened, and she screamed.